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US 11,305,895 B1Granted
Self-preserved amphibious landing of space hardware
AssigneeUnited Launch Alliance, L.L.C.
InventorsBrendan M. Coyne, James Lampariello, Daniel A. Wehrwein
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for preserving and recovering the main engine of the first stage of a multistage launch vehicle involves utilizing a portion of a first stage propellant tank together with a parachute and a deployed buoyancy device to float the engine in a body of water until the engine can be recovered. Controlled explosions remove portions of the propellant tank to permit it to stabilize the position of the engine relative to the water following splash down.
Claims16
A method for returning a launch vehicle main engine to earth, comprising:
- launching a launch vehicle from a launch site, the launch vehicle having a first stage and a second stage, the first stage comprising:
- a first end;
- a second end;
- a main engine proximate the second end;
- a fuselage;
- and
- a propellant tank positioned within the fuselage, the propellant tank having a central section, a first closed end, and a second closed end;
- terminating operation of the main engine;
- separating the first stage from the second stage;
- deploying at least one parachute from the first stage;
- causing the first stage to separate into at least two sections, wherein a first section includes the main engine, a portion of the fuselage, and a portion of the propellant tank comprising the central section and the first closed end, and wherein a second section includes an end portion of the propellant tank comprising the second closed end, wherein the at least one parachute is connected to the first section;
- forming a plurality of apertures extending through the portion of the fuselage of the first section and the portion of the propellant tank remaining with the first section;
- and
- landing the first section of the first stage including the main engine in a body of water.
11 more elements
A method for returning a launch vehicle engine to earth, comprising:
- providing a launch vehicle comprising:
- a fuselage;
- an engine positioned at a first end of the fuselage;
- and
- a propellant tank disposed within the fuselage;
- terminating operation of the engine;
- separating a first section from the fuselage, the first section comprising the engine and a portion of the propellant tank having a closed end;
- creating a severed open end of the first section when separating the first section, wherein the engine is positioned opposite the severed open end;
- deploying a buoyancy device proximate the engine;
- landing the first section of the fuselage including the engine in a body of water such that the severed open end contacts the body of water first;
- and
- controlling the flow of air from the portion of the propellant tank following landing the first section in the body of water.
9 more elements
A method for returning a launch vehicle main engine to earth, comprising:
- launching a launch vehicle from a launch site, the launch vehicle having a first stage and a second stage, the first stage comprising:
- a first end;
- a second end;
- a main engine proximate the second end;
- a fuselage;
- and
- a propellant tank positioned within the fuselage, the propellant tank having a central section, a first closed end, and a second end;
- terminating operation of the main engine;
- separating the first stage from the second stage;
- deploying at least one parachute from the first stage;
- causing the first stage to separate into at least two sections, wherein a first section includes the main engine, a portion of the fuselage, and a portion of the propellant tank comprising the central section and the first closed end, wherein a second section includes an end portion of the propellant tank comprising the second end, and wherein the at least one parachute is connected to the first section;
- creating a severed open end of the first section when separating the first stage into the at least two sections;
- orienting the first section generally vertically with the main engine farthest from earth, the first closed end of the propellant tank positioned proximate the main engine, and the severed open end of the first section positioned closest to earth;
- and
- landing the first section of the first stage including the main engine in a body of water.
12 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.